Never Under Estimate

Never under estimate the power of a tradition that is almost 500 years old. On December 12th millions of men, women and children will honor and seek the favor of the Virgin of Guadelupe (Mary). They will make pilgrimages, have fiestas, seek miracles, parade by the priest for blessing, attend street festivals, induce self-inflicted pain, and give her worship. Why? Because on this date in 1531 soon after the Spanish conquest of Mexico she is said to have appeared in Mexico. While some of the specific details of this apparition (supernatural vision either bodily or visible) may vary here is a summary of the story that has captured the hearts and imaginations of the Mexican people.

In 1531 a poor Aztec peasant named Juan Diego was crossing the hill of Tepeyac when he heard a woman calling to him. Upon reaching her he discovered a young Mexican girl who appeared to be about fourteen years old and who shone with golden beams from her head to her feet. Juan was dazzled by the radiance before him and all around him. The girl said, “I am the ever-virgin Mary, Mother of the true God who gives life and maintains it in existence…I desire a Teocali (temple or church) at this place where I will show my compassion to your people and to all people who sincerely ask my help in their work and in their sorrows. Here, I will see their tears; I will console them and they will be at ease. So run to Tenochtitlan (Mexico City) and tell the Lord Bishop all that you have seen and heard.”*

Juan Diego went and presented himself to Don Fray Juan de Zumarraga, a Franciscan who was kind but did not believe the “Queen of Heaven” had really appeared to him and expressed a desire for a church to be built in such an uninhabited place. Upon returning home that evening Juan Diego again encountered the Virgin who instructed him to return the following morning and repeat the message. This he did, and while the Bishop was more thoughtful he suggested that it would be nice if he had a sign to confirm the message.

The next day when Juan Diego again encountered Mary he explained the need for a sign. She told him to go to the top of the hill and cut the flowers growing there. Juan Diego went but all the while knowing there could be nothing growing on this frozen hill. To his surprise he found exotic roses in bloom. Returning to the Virgin she carefully arranged them in his tilma (apron), tied the corners behind his neck, and sent him on his way.

When Juan Diego arrived at the Bishop’s he again told of his experiences and the need to build a church on the hill of Tepeyac. With that he untied his tilma from behind his neck to present the flowers as the sign that was requested. The Bishop and the others there were immediately kneeling before Juan Diego because an even more wonderful sign had been given. There on his tilma was an imprinted image of Mary as she had appeared to Juan Diego only a few days earlier. The tilma was gently removed and displayed where it could be observed in prayerful wonder.

Needless to say the church was constructed on the sight by order of the Bishop. Today the miraculous tilma of Juan Diego hangs in the Basilica (a title assigned to honor more important churches) at Mexico City, which is considered by many Catholics to be the holiest place in the Americas. Millions visit there annually and on December 12th virtually all of Mexico honor the Virgin of Guadelupe.

Never under estimate…



*A Woman Clothed with the Sun: John J. Delaney/Ethel Cook Eliot